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Diego Delso CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral of Funchal

Church

Madeira's Funchal cathedral (Sé) dates to the 15th-16th centuries, with carved wooden ceilings and azulejo tiles; visitors pair a cathedral stop with the Old Town, market and harbourfront.

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In this guide

Cathedral of Funchal essentials

Address: Largo da Sé, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Website: visitmadeira.pt
Hours: Daily 9am-6pm
Admission: Free (no general admission fee)
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About Cathedral of Funchal

The Cathedral of Funchal (Sé Cathedral) is the principal Roman Catholic church in Funchal, Madeira, built in the early 16th century and notable for its Manueline and early Renaissance features. It is one of Madeira’s most important religious buildings.

Erected shortly after the Portuguese settlement of Madeira in the early 1500s, the cathedral has been modified and restored over the centuries while retaining its characteristic wooden ceiling and main Gothic-plan elements. It has served as the island’s principal episcopal church since its construction.

Situated in the historic centre of Funchal, the cathedral is within easy walking distance of the harbour and main public squares of the city on the southern coast of Madeira island.

  • Architectural style: Construction dates to the early 16th century and the cathedral is an example of Portuguese Manueline and early Renaissance influence on island architecture.
  • Location and access: Sited in Funchal’s historic centre, the cathedral courtyard and façade are easily reached on foot from the main harbour and town squares.

What to See#

  • Nave and wooden ceiling: The main nave and choir feature a coffered wooden ceiling and carved altarpieces from the early 16th century typical of Portuguese island churches.
  • Chapels and sacristy: Side chapels and sacristy contain religious paintings and liturgical furnishings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries and later restorations.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Cathedral of Funchal

Visit in spring or early summer for mild weather, blooms, and fewer crowds than peak summer.

Spring
Mar-May · 16-21°C
Mild, flower-filled days and generally fewer tourists than summer - a pleasant time to visit the cathedral and explore Funchal.
Summer
Jun-Aug · 20-26°C
Warmest and sunniest weather with the highest number of visitors; expect busier streets and longer opening hours.
Winter
Dec-Feb · 15-20°C
Very mild compared with mainland Europe; quieter for sightseeing though some services may run reduced hours.

Weather & Climate near Cathedral of Funchal

Climate

Cathedral of Funchal's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and mild winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 13°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (613 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 25 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
12°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 13° - 19° 16° 90 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.6 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.1h
February Very Good 13° - 19° 16° 63 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.9 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.9h
March Very Good 13° - 19° 16° 57 mm partly cloudy 78% 5.1 m/s 1.3 high 11.9h
April Very Good 14° - 20° 17° 38 mm partly cloudy 77% 5.1 m/s 1.7 very high 12.9h
May Excellent 15° - 21° 18° 26 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.7 m/s 2.0 very high 13.7h
June Ideal 17° - 23° 20° 10 mm some cloud 78% 5.0 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.1h
July Ideal 19° - 24° 21° 3 mm some cloud 79% 5.1 m/s 2.3 extreme 13.9h
August Ideal 20° - 26° 23° 6 mm some cloud 78% 4.9 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.2h
September Excellent 19° - 25° 22° 50 mm some cloud 76% 4.1 m/s 1.6 very high 12.2h
October Excellent 18° - 24° 21° 78 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.3 m/s 1.1 high 11.2h
November Very Good 16° - 22° 19° 84 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.5 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.4h
December Good 14° - 20° 17° 108 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.7 m/s 0.5 low 9.9h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Cathedral of Funchal

The Cathedral (Sé) sits in Funchal’s historic centre (Sé district) close to Avenida Arriaga and Praça do Município. From Funchal’s main bus terminal (Rodoviária) it is an easy 5-10 minute walk along Avenida Arriaga/Rua da Sé to the cathedral.

From Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira Airport you can take the airport Aerobus or local airport buses/taxis into Funchal; by car the airport is roughly a 20-30 minute drive to the city centre, after which the cathedral is a short walk.

Tips for Visiting Cathedral of Funchal

  • Aim for the cathedral at opening time (usually early morning) to beat the cruise-ship and day‑tour crowds that arrive later in the day.
  • Approach from Largo do Município (the historic main square) - that entrance puts you straight into the old town setting and is less crowded than the streets that funnel tour groups.
  • Don't miss the 16th‑century Mudéjar‑style carved wooden ceiling and the intricately carved choir stalls-look up in the nave and check the side chapels for fine details many visitors overlook.